Are you ready for CRC?

The CRC Energy Efficency Scheme, formerly known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment, targets emissions that are not already covered by Climate Change Agreemens or the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and will affect mainly large private and public sector organisations.

If your organisation’s electricity is metered by at least one half hourly meter (HHM) and you buy on the half hourly market, you are likely to be covered by the CRC (your electricity supplier can tell you if you buy electricity on the half hourly market).

The main criteria for an organisation’s participation in the CRC is that its total supply of half hourly metered electricity in 2008 was at least 6,000 megawatt-hours (MWh).   If your half hourly metered electricity supply was below 6,000MWh in 2008 it is likely you will have to make an ‘information disclosure’ about your electricity supplies.

Sole traders and individuals, who are considered to be small emitters, are excluded from the CRC.

There will be no overlap with existing schemes.  For instance, if your emissions are covered by a Climate Change Agreement (CCA) you may claim exemption from the CRC. You will still need to register with the CRC and then apply for an exemption.

If your organisation is captured by the new CRC requirements, you will have to monitor emissions from your energy supplies, report these emissions annually, and purchase and surrender allowances that correspond to your emissions. The CRC will cover both electricity use and direct emissions from energy use, including gas and fuel oil.

If you need help to determine whether CRC applies to your business, contact us now for a free, no obligation consultation.